Sent east to schoolA Closer LookHenry Whipple kept up an active correspondence with his daughters
while they attended school in the East. The letters reveal much
about the Whipple family. Faribault, Rice Co Minn "My dear daughter, Your letter so full of kind wishes came to us by last night's mail. We deeply regret that you should be so afflicted with that sad feeling of home sickness and yet I cannot say that I was disappointed. To one who loves home and friends as well as you do, the change must be very sad and it cost us many a regret to send you out into this world, even if it was to another Christian home at St. Mary's [in Burlington, New Jersey]. But darling it was for your good. Few girls have greater gifts to make noble Christian women than my Jenny, but you need just the training of school and must try and bear it as bravely as you can. Mother had not been quite well since she came here and yesterday she was quite sick– in a few days she will be quite well and we hope before this reaches you she will be busy about the house… Our house here is a new one, as large as any in the village… It has not as many rooms but the rooms are larger. I send you on a piece of paper a plan of it. The house is painted white and in general appearance much like the one grandpa lived in at Adams [New York] altho not as large. I do not know yet when I shall be able to come and see you but hope to do so sometime during the coming summer. Mother and myself and all the children send you heaps of love and as soon as we get settled will try and write you very often. I do hope you will be careful as you can of your things and try and improve all you can. I do not desire you to have many studies but what you do have try and study them well. We shall write to you as often as we can. Write to me whether you have any money and how much each of you have. I have no knowledge whether you have any or not. I would like you to have everything you need and such pocket money as is for your good, but wish you to keep account of what you spend it for. All send you love. Each of you can grow up to be brave and fine Christian women to serve the dear Lord who died for us on the cross. God bless you my darlings. Mother sends you a great deal of love as also do the children and uncle George.. Your loving
father, H.B. Whipple August 1860 "...Your mother sent you yesterday a box of things. The berries are in a birch bark mokuk such as the Indians use. They were a gift of an Indian woman, Julia. I baptised an Indian child and named it after your mother. We are all well. Mother sends you much love. Your mother says be careful and not to eat too much of your sweets at once. The berries and gooseberries you can ask the cook to make into pies. Keep the pail and cake box until I come…"
"I was very very much gratified with your and Jenny’s last reports, and with a very kind letter from Mr. Smith who wrote most warmly of your progress. There is nothing that pleases me more than to hear a good account of my children. Your conduct mark was 9, which pleased me very much." |
